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Catherine LeGrandWelcome! I hope you find what you are looking for here
and
more...

It is my intention that this website will be an efficient, fun, and
meaningful platform for sharing information, ideas, and resources on
breathing, music performance and pedagogy, creativity, the flute,
and flute-playing.

Creative, dedicated, genuine and encouraging – these are words that I would use to describe Catherine LeGrand. I have had the honor and privilege of knowing Catherine for 20 years, first as a flute student and now as a friend. Her musical style is holistic, which transcends into her playing and her teaching. As a performer, she exhibits quiet strength in sharing her craft with her thoughtful phrases and warm tone. As a teacher, she concentrates on finding creative and outside of the box solutions to pinpoint the most efficient, heartfelt and musical way to play the flute. She not only focuses on technical aspects of flute playing; she finds a way to weave mind/body awareness techniques and life lessons into her teaching. She supported me in so many situations; she prepared me for my first orchestral experience, competitions, recitals, recordings and college auditions. When I developed tendinitis in my arms, she helped guide me to be able to play, once again. The lessons that I learned while studying with Catherine have helped me on and off the stage. A perceptive mentor, she will always be an integral part of my life; someone who truly focused on helping me to be the best person and flutist that I could possibly be.

I have worked with Catherine LeGrand for twenty years as pianist in the duo Senza Miura and as coach and teacher with her students. In addition to nearly all of the standard repertoire for flute and piano, we have played and performed many little-known works of art, including chamber music with other instruments. Ms. LeGrand’s remarkable imagination—and capacity for original thought—is of such acuity that she is a continual surprise. Humor and hilarity are also staples in her teaching. The poet Shelley says that ’the great instrument of moral good is the imagination’; for me this explains Ms. LeGrand’s magic”

--Kenneth Grigg

Catherine LeGrand is an inspirational teacher and musician with a natural ability to identify the individual needs of each flute player. I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to study with Catherine LeGrand during the crucial years of development at the Performing Arts High School that I attended. She taught me how to practice in a detailed and efficient way and she gave me a strong foundation in every aspect of flute playing. She was undoubtedly my driving force and my main motivation to pursue a career in music.

Catherine instills confidence in her students through encouragement, motivation and inspiration in lessons. I was enthusiastic in my practice because I left each lesson inspired to explore the ideas that were discussed in the lesson. Catherine is extremely dedicated and committed to her students. She devoted many extra hours outside of lessons, such as when I was making recordings for competitions and in helping me prepare for college auditions. I constantly see the influence of Catherine LeGrand, both in my playing and teaching style. I was fortunate enough to have a teacher like Catherine LeGrand and I feel a responsibility to pass on the knowledge that I was given from such an extraordinary teacher.

--Sabrina HuFlutist and Artistic Director, Walled City Music FestivalD.M.A. Michigan State UniversityM.M., Royal Northern College of Music, EnglandB.M. Mannes College of Music, student of Keith Underwood

Catherine LeGrand has been a tremendous influence on my playing and teaching. She possesses a unique ability to quickly identify obstacles preventing a player's growth and address the root of the problem. This ability is not limited to the physical aspects of performing, but also musical and emotional roadblocks that may be holding a player back. She is captivating not only in private lessons, but also in the masterclass setting where she is able to engage both the performer and audience with her teaching. She is able to easily adjust her teaching style to fit the needs of all levels of player, from the beginner to the established professional. -- Linda Nielsen KorduckiDMA in Flute Performance, University of Wisconsin-MadisonFaculty, Cardinal Stritch UniversityPrincipal Flute, Fox Valley Symphony

Catherine LeGrand's teaching is intuitive, innovative, intelligent, sprinkled with kindness and humor. She always offers unique and invaluable insights into the whole musician that you are! --Jennifer Keeney, Affiliate Artist of Flute, University of HoustonCreative Flutist Studio, Houston, TX

Catherine is a wonderfully gifted and educated flutist. Her approach to the art of music making incorporates years of performance experience, a vast knowledge of repertoire, and a practical understanding of the physiology of performance. Her guidance has allowed me to not only progress in my studies, but has given me the drive to achieve; a gift for which I will be forever grateful.

--Brittany Harrell Akers, Campbell University graduate

I have studied with Catherine and watched her teach for more than ten years. I never cease to be amazed by her approach to teaching fundamental concepts of flute playing and musicianship. She routinely finds innovative and highly effective ways to teach the same concepts. The most joyous part is that her students are able carry out their intentions in the music.

Regardless of the level of the student - a young beginner, an adult amateur, a college student, or a seasoned professional - she is able to help them sound better, feel more comfortable physically, and gain confidence both in playing and in life. Catherine is always able to describe the big picture of the task at hand and then lead the student to improve their approach to playing. Student's leave lessons with new tools to use for practice and physical concepts to integrate.

--John MarkertHouston ISD, TX

Her knowledge of the flute and wind playing transcends both the flute and wind playing.

--Kelly Love, saxophone

Catherine LeGrand has changed my playing from habits that didn't work well, to ways to play that work beautifully. Even though it has been several years since I studied with her, any improvement I continue to make comes from working on implementing her excellent concepts of breathing and phrasing. I have never heard anyone else make the beautiful and enchanting sounds she can get from her flute. She is an excellent and unique teacher of ideas that work.

--Kathy JohnstonFormer student and Private Teacher

Catherine LeGrand is an inspiring artist who cares about people and ideas. She is ingenious and enjoys inventing creative ways of communicating her techniques. As a teacher she effectively diagnoses and solves specific problems through (sometimes unusual) exercises and maintains a sense of interest in her subject. Catherine has a wide pool of knowledge and resources which she enjoys using to encourage and guide other musicians. She believes in making free and expressive music while retaining the essential elements of technique and the composer's intent. Some of the most distinctive characteristics of her playing are fluidity, purity of tone, thoughtful interpretation, and complete lack of tension. She is a uniquely gifted musician and teacher who is a joy to study with.

--Laura Philbrick, Former student and Private Teacher

"What Catherine LeGrand has developed is quite unique and interesting: she works on bodily processes to improve tone, articulation, and musical expression.

The breathing, articulation, and vibrato exercises she demonstrated with our students have been exceptionally beneficial both to me and to the students. We can already tell a huge difference in the playing habits of our students. Catherine has helped me to refine my own listening skills as I try to identify exactly what she is listening for as she works on tone quality with each student.

It is fascinating to experience someone operating on an extremely high level of awareness while working with young musicians. She is inspiring to watch.

I highly recommend Catherine LeGrand to you for band clinics and masterclasses without reservation!

--James DrewBand Director, Fort Bend ISD, TXCounselor, MA, LPC"

"Having worked in tandem with Catherine LeGrand over the past two decades, the best student musicians that I have been privileged to produce during my twenty-seven year career as a band director have been those who were taught cooperatively by the two of us. Her students reap the benefits of inventive flute pedagogy, an insightful approach to efficient breathing and use of the body, in addition to artistic interpretation that can only described as "right on". Catherine has much to offer to my entire band also as a clinician that has a great grasp on the physical, technical, psychological and musical aspects of performance, and the students all enjoy working with her.

Catherine LeGrand has been a great inspiration to me and to my students through her master classes, private lessons and band clinic sessions, as well as through her wonderful solo recordings.”

“I have worked with Catherine for 15 years now, and I am continually amazed at her ability to help students and teachers improve every aspect of rehearsal and performance. I have never met a more perceptive and innovative person. Both students and their teachers will highly benefit from Catherine’s help, and I strongly urge you to take advantage of her abilities!”

“Just a note to say Thank You! When you came and listened to both the concert band and wind ensemble, your comments were very insightful. The way of looking at the music through breathing made me think and certainly helped both bands. It was amazing to hear the difference after you made your suggestions!

Your work with our flute section was wonderful. I could hear a difference in their sound and intonation after the first help session.”

--John EnloeBand DirectorWake County, NC

Catherine LeGrand has changed my playing from habits that didn't work well, to ways to play that work beautifully. Even though it has been several years since I studied with her, any improvement I continue to make comes from working on implementing her excellent concepts of breathing and phrasing. I have never heard anyone else make the beautiful and enchanting sounds she can get from her flute. She is an excellent and unique teacher of ideas that work.--Kathy JohnstonFormer student and Private Teacher

"What Catherine LeGrand has developed is quite unique and interesting: she works on bodily processes to improve tone, articulation, and musical expression.

The breathing, articulation, and vibrato exercises she demonstrated with our students have been exceptionally beneficial both to me and to the students. We can already tell a huge difference in the playing habits of our students. Catherine has helped me to refine my own listening skills as I try to identify exactly what she is listening for as she works on tone quality with each student.

It is fascinating to experience someone operating on an extremely high level of awareness while working with young musicians. She is inspiring to watch.

I highly recommend Catherine LeGrand to you for band clinics and masterclasses without reservation!"

--James DrewBand Director, Fort Bend ISD, TXCounselor, MA, LPC

"Having worked in tandem with Catherine LeGrand over the past two decades, the best student musicians that I have been privileged to produce during my twenty-seven year career as a band director have been those who were taught cooperatively by the two of us. Her students reap the benefits of inventive flute pedagogy, an insightful approach to efficient breathing and use of the body, in addition to artistic interpretation that can only described as "right on".

Catherine has much to offer to my entire band also as a clinician that has a great grasp on the physical, technical, psychological and musical aspects of performance, and the students all enjoy working with her.

Catherine LeGrand has been a great inspiration to me and to my students through her master classes, private lessons and band clinic sessions, as well as through her wonderful solo recordings.”

“I have worked with Catherine for 15 years now, and I am continually amazed at her ability to help students and teachers improve every aspect of rehearsal and performance. I have never met a more perceptive and innovative person. Both students and their teachers will highly benefit from Catherine’s help, and I strongly urge you to take advantage of her abilities!”

"Catherine, you are the best... fantastic what you are doing and providing for those of us who are, and will be forever, on the learning path for improvement and expression. All the best to you."

--Mary Stolper

Catherine is a wonderfully gifted and educated flutist. Her approach to the art of music making incorporates years of performance experience, a vast knowledge of repertoire, and a practical understanding of the physiology of performance. Her guidance has allowed me to not only progress in my studies, but has given me the drive to achieve; a gift for which I will be forever grateful.

Catherine LeGrand has
three albums in current release: Inspirations: Music for
solo flute; and two albums with Dulcimer Dan and the Blue Skies
Band: Let Me Call You Sweetheart & Memories Made in the South.

About the
photos…I took many of the photos on this site,
including the background images.

A picture can, indeed, be worth a thousand
words, and is also an expression of an
artist’s unique vision but I offer shorter tales about some of these images in
case you are interested in the stories
behind them, and the rich tapestry of my
life experience. I invite you to visit the
gallery.
--Catherine